Born July 4, 1920, in Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Etta (Bowers) Beard. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Hugh N. Beckwith; and one sister, Mary Elizabeth Edwards. Mrs. Beckwith was a foster parent. She was a lifetime member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, serving as a mother of the church, and a member of the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary. She had received numerous awards for foster parenting. Surviving are four daughters, Delores Cooper, Milwaukee, Wisc., Paulette Hall, Baltimore, Tina Wimbs, Homestead, Pa., and Beverly Largent, Martinsburg, W.Va.; four sons, Leo Beckwith, Baltimore, Fredrick Beckwith, Baltimore, Dwayne Plummer, South Carolina, and Hal Plummer, Orlando, Fla.; one brother, Leonard Beard, Cumberland; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a host of loving friends. At Mrs. Beckwith’s request, she was cremated at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., Crematory.

A Memorial service will be conducted at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 861 Columbia Avenue, Cumberland, on Friday at 11a.m. with Pastor John B. McIntyre officiating. The family requests that flowers be sent to the funeral home or contributions may be made to Children’s Foster Care of Cumberland, 1 Frederick St., Cumberland, MD 21502.